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Annual Ryan Shay Mile returns with record holders, past champion back

drew kochanny, the petoskey news-review
·4 min read

CHARLEVOIX — Many wait all year and all summer for Charlevoix’s annual Venetian Festival to return.

While it feels like forever for the festivities and games to get here, it’s gone in a what feels like a flash.

And, it’s only fitting that the annual festival is capped with record setting runners who can finish a mile race in a flash.

Come Saturday, July 22, the 15th annual Ryan Shay Mile will once again close the Venetian Festival in downtown Charlevoix. The race will come with a 10:30 a.m. start time, just before the scheduled start of the 11 a.m. parade through Bridge Street.

Charlevoix's Bridge Street in downtown will once again be lined with race fans eagerly watching the annual Ryan Shay Mile Saturday. The 15th running of the event caps Charlevoix's Venetian Festival.
Charlevoix's Bridge Street in downtown will once again be lined with race fans eagerly watching the annual Ryan Shay Mile Saturday. The 15th running of the event caps Charlevoix's Venetian Festival.

Since 2008, the annual event of course keeps the memory of Northern Michigan native Ryan Shay alive. Shay passed away in November of 2007 while competing in the USA Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City.

From Central Lake, Shay ran for Notre Dame and later as a professional, while becoming a role model for many around the area and the country.

This year’s race will come with a prize purse of $10,500, with Munson Healthcare of Charlevoix Hospital back again as the title sponsor for the event.

Both men and women competitors will receive $2,000 for first, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third. Other prize amounts will also be handed out, including for fourth and the half mile leader.

Last year, Ben Flanagan set a men’s record time of 3 minutes, 53 seconds in the road mile, while Hobbs Kessler came in a close second in 3:54. The previous record had been set by Jeff See in 2010 in a time of 3:55.9.

Flanagan won’t return, though Kessler, who runs for Very Nice Track Club in Ann Arbor, has a chance to make up for that lost second from a year ago with his return to Charlevoix on Saturday. Kessler is currently second ranked in the US with a 3:32 1500 meter time currently and an 800 meter time of 1:45.

Kessler’s 1500 meter time is the fastest ever run on American soil.

Hobbs Kessler (left) makes a return to the annual Ryan Shay Mile in Charlevoix after a narrow second place finish last summer, in a time that would have come as a new Shay Mile record.
Hobbs Kessler (left) makes a return to the annual Ryan Shay Mile in Charlevoix after a narrow second place finish last summer, in a time that would have come as a new Shay Mile record.

Also from last year’s race, Nathan Mylenek and Matt Cooper will return to the field. Mylenek is also a Very Nice Track Club member, while Cooper comes to Northern Michigan through the Wisconsin Runner Racing Team.

On the women’s side a year ago, Abby Kohut-Jackson pulled in the victory with a time of 4:26.5. Kohut-Jackson was a Big Ten champion in the steeplechase.

While Kohut-Jackson won't be back, past champion Anna Shields does return to the race after the 2019 title and a third place finish last summer.

Shields, of the Hartbeat Track Club and a 10-time NAIA National Champion, holds a road mile best time of 4:20.

Making a return to the race are also Gina McNamara and Maddie Alm. McNamara placed fourth a year ago, while Alm is coming off an appearance in the USATF Track and Field Championships this year.

Also within the women’s field will be University of Alabama All-American, Esher Gitahi, who will be one of a few newcomers in the event.

Along with the Shay Mile held Saturday, the annual Drenth Memorial 5k/10k Footrace will be held at 9 a.m. and the annual Family Mile at 10 a.m. Both races will finish on Bridge Street at the Shay Mile finish line.

Online registration and more information regarding the Drenth Footraces and family mile can be found at: www.Venetianraces.com

All race proceeds benefit the Charlevoix High School Cross Country team and Pete Spieles  Scholarship Fund.

The complete field of Ryan Shay Runners includes:

MEN’S FIELD

Hobbs Kessler, Very Nice Track Club (2022 runner-up finisher).

Matt Cooper, Wisconsin Runner Racing Team, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Dillion Haviland, Northwood University (All-American).

Nathan Mylenek, Very Nice Track Club, University of Iowa (All-American).

Cole Johnson, Armadillo Track Club, University of Michigan (All-American).

Ian Johnson, Dayton Track Club Elite, Wright State/Ashland University (All-American).

Donis Harris, Ferris State, University.

Aaron Combs, Three Rivers Running Company/Saucony, UNC-Wilmington/Queens University.

Richie Johnston, Hillsdale College.

Charlie Lawrence, Roots Running Project, Bare Performance Nutrition, University of Minnesota.

WOMEN’S FIELD 

Gina McNamara, Georgetown Running Club-New Balance, University of Michigan (National Record Holder 1500m - Malta)

Anna Shields, Hartbeat Track Club, Point Park University, 2019 Ryan Shay Mile Champion (National Champion).

Esther Gitahi, unattached, University of Alabama (All-American).

Maddie Alm, Team Boss, Fueling Forward, University of Colorado (NCAA All-American).

Presley Weems, Atlanta Track Club/adidas, Auburn University (All-American).

Racheal Walters, Atlanta Track Club/adidas, Grand Valley State University (All-American).

Shelby Nolan, Dave’s Racing Team, Wright State University.

Emilee Trost, Minnesota Distance Elite, University of Minnesota-Duluth (National Champion).

Emily Paupore, Central Michigan University.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Annual Ryan Shay Mile returns with record holders, past champion back